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2025.10.20
Things to know before signing a contract: choosing a free school
table of contents
Three different free schools
There are various types of management bodies, facility sizes, and activities of free schools. Therefore, when choosing a free school,It is important to gather information in advance and make sure that the facility is suitable for your child.To help you with this, below we will consider some points to keep in mind from a legal perspective.
Please note that there is no clear definition of "free schools" and the names of these facilities vary, so in this column we refer to places other than schools or educational support centers where children who are not attending school can study or pursue activities that interest them during the day as "free schools."
Is the payment relationship clear?
Payment matters are the most likely to cause trouble.
First, make sure that the initial costs and monthly fees (if paid monthly) are clearly stated in the contract documents you sign when applying for service.One thing that is easy to overlook is how to handle one-time expenses such as event participation fees and teaching materials fees.In particular, the following points should be confirmed in advance, at least through a verbal explanation:
- Are temporary costs included in the initial cost and monthly usage fee, or do they need to be paid each time?
- If the expenses are settled on a case-by-case basis, what kinds of extraordinary expenses are there, and what is the estimated total amount for the year?
The contract documents should also clearly state what happens to payments if you are absent or suspend or cancel your membership during the contract period.Specific points to check include whether or not a refund will be made and the conditions under which it will be made, the method of refund (pro rata, monthly settlement, etc.), and the deadline for requesting suspension or cancellation.
Is the service content clear?
We want to avoid situations where the service content is different from what you imagined as much as possible.
It is advisable that the days and times when the facility is available be clearly stated in the contract documents. If optional services such as individual instruction, individual support, after-hours use (extensions or early morning use), or transportation are planned, you should also confirm the terms of use, including the optional fees.
On the other hand, it may be difficult to specify in the contract the specific content of the services, such as the details of the activities and the teaching system. However, these are important points to consider when choosing a free school, so even if they are not specified in the contract, you should receive a sufficient explanation in advance.If you have any questions or concerns, please ask beforehand.
Is there sufficient cooperation with the student's school?
Because free schools are not regular schools, continuing to attend them does not automatically mean that a student will be eligible to graduate from school. Elementary and junior high school students who are subject to compulsory education will be eligible to graduate from school by graduating from the school they are currently enrolled in.
However, there are cases where activities at free schools etc. can be counted as school attendance.
When evaluating a student's grades, the school they are enrolled in can take into account the learning content of free schools, etc., generally under the following conditions.
- The learning plan and content are appropriate in light of the educational curriculum of the school in which the student is enrolled.
- There is sufficient cooperation between the school and the parents/free school, etc., and the school is regularly and continuously aware of the situation of the child who is not attending school through the parents/free school, etc.
- In addition to indirect contact through parents and free schools, the school itself is mindful of maintaining direct contact with children who are not attending school through visits and online interviews.
If free schools etc. are proactive in cooperating with the schools where students are enrolled, the process of reflecting the learning content at free schools etc. in the grade evaluations at the schools where students are enrolled may be smoother.It is a good idea to check in advance with your child's current school (or the relevant board of education) about their policies regarding information sharing and attendance management, and if possible, their past performance.
Conclusion
According to a survey conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the top three reasons parents who send their children to free schools chose their current free school were, in order, "child's reaction," "activities," and "distance from home." While the points mentioned in this article are unlikely to be at the forefront of your mind when choosing a free school, we hope you will keep them in mind when searching for information on private support on this portal site to avoid any problems.
NOTES
Free schools and other similar institutions are run by a variety of entities, including corporations and NPOs. If the operator of the free school you are considering is an NPO based in Tokyo, you may be able to get an idea of the actual situation by checking these documents on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government website, etc. Please refer to this as well.
(Corporate Information Search (Easy Search) | Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Citizenship and Cultural Affairs)
The person who edited the article
Graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo in 2015. Completed the Graduate School of Law at the University of Tokyo in 2017. Has experience providing a wide range of legal advice. In addition to corporate legal matters, he also handles school-related legal matters, primarily in the field of educational administration.
【references】
■Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology "Educational Opportunity Act Pamphlet"
https://www.mext.go.jp/content/20250217-mxt_jidou01-100002764_4.pdf
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) "Notice: Regarding the evaluation of the learning outcomes of students who have not attended school during their absence" (MEXT Notice No. 1126, August 29, 2024)
https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/seitoshidou/1422155_00002.htm
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, "How to respond when a high school student who is not attending school is receiving counseling or guidance at a public or private institution outside the school," March 12, 2009 (No. 1346 of the 20th Educational and Cultural Affairs Act)
https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/seitoshidou/04121502/1309943.htm
■Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education, "Towards the independence of irreplaceable children who will create the future: Key points for supporting children who are not attending school (January 2021)" p. 16
https://www.kyoiku.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/documents/d/kyoiku/point03
Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education: "Report on the Survey and Research Project to Support Children and Students Who Are Not Attending Schools, etc. (August 2024)"
https://www.kyoiku.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/documents/d/kyoiku/2024report-1
